Alex Song & Gervinho given three-match bans by the FA for conduct against Newcastle United

Gervinho and Alex Song have been handed three-match bans by the FA for their conduct during Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United.


Gervinho, was given a straight red card for slapping Magpies midfielder Joey Barton.

Barton was given a yellow card for his role in the melee, as he had initially dragged the Ivory Coast winger off the ground after an apparent dive from the Arsenal star.

Because he had been dealt with during the game, the controversial midfielder has escaped any punishment in the aftermath of the feisty encounter on the opening day of the Premier League season.


Song, however, has been charged with violent conduct and given a ban for stamping on Barton's leg, an incident the referee did not see at the time.


Arsenal have accepted the ban given to Song but will appeal against the severity of the suspension handed to former Lille winger Gervinho.


Because they are not contesting the ban itself they should avoid being handed an extra game on the player’s ban for a frivolous appeal.


Instead, the club will likely try and argue that Barton himself has admitted publicly that he overreacted to the slap to try and get the number of games the 24-year-old is out for reduced.


Both the Gunners and the Tyneside club also face charges by the FA for being unable to keep their players under control in the game, which carries a £25,000 fine.


Newcastle have denied the charge and their case will be heard by an FA disciplinary commission, while Arsenal are undecided on their course of action.

Newcastle United 0 - 0 Arsenal - Match Report

Ten-man Arsenal were held to a goalless draw at Newcastle on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Arsène Wenger’s side bossed the game and seemed set for a late charge before Gervinho was sent off in the 75th minute.

The debutant raced into the area from the left-hand flank, cut inside Cheik Tiote and tumbled over his challenge.  Referee Peter Walton refused the penalty but Joey Barton took issue with the Ivorian.

After a brief skirmish, Gervinho was dismissed and Barton saw yellow.

The point was scant reward for Arsenal, who dominated in both possession and territory.

Robin van Persie whisked a free-kick inches over the bar and Theo Walcott saw a low shot saved by Tim Krul.

The red card denied everyone the crescendo this open game deserved. However, if Arsenal continue to perform at this level throughout the campaign, they will be challenging at the top once again.

It had been a difficult few days for the Club. One of those annoying periods when the stories seem to overtake the football.

Wenger’s men just need to play – and win – a game. Here was an opportunity.

Gervinho was handed his full debut on the left of midfield with Andrey Arshavin on the opposite flank. Tomas Rosicky was just behind frontman Robin van Persie. New signings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson were on the bench.

Newcastle had been under scrutiny themselves and the main focus was Barton. The midfielder had been made available for a free transfer but was still selected in midfield this afternoon.

The Englishman had been in the limelight during that incredible game last season. It was his tackle which had elicited the melee after which Abou Diaby had been sent off. Later on, Barton had scored two penalties in that incredible comeback.

Both sides could probably do without that sort of drama this afternoon – but a better result.

And in the first half only Arsenal looked capable of achieving that.

Wenger’s men found their feet early on and, bar the odd pocket of Newcastle pressure, never slipped up.

In the opening minutes, Kieran Gibbs and Arshavin combined to put Gervinho momentarily clear on the right however the ball got stuck under his feet and Tomas Rosicky’s follow-up shot flew wide.

Arsenal were direct going forward and strong in the tackle when they did lose the ball. And the new signing from Lille was catching the eye.

In the 18th minute, Gervinho’s cross fortunately fell to Van Persie six yards out but his shot deflected wide.

For Newcastle, Jonas Gutierrez thundered a volley well wide and Wojciech Szczesny snaffled the ball after Danny Simpson’s cross was deflected towards the near post by Gibbs. But that was about it.

On the half hour Laurent Koscienly beat Tim Krul to Rosicky’s corner but the header was booted away from danger by Simpson.

Arsenal continued to ask all the questions. They were profligate at times – like when Arshavin found Fabricio Coloccini, the only covering defender, as he sought out Gervinho. But mostly Arsenal were slick and incisive with only the final ball sometimes lacking.

Two minutes from the break, Arshavin’s shovel pass set Van Persie free for a second but – as it had a couple of times a few times in the first half - the ball would not settle for Arsenal and chance went begging.

The start of the second half was all Arsenal once more. Nine minutes in, Gutierrez clipped Sagna on the right and Van Persie sent a free-kick inches over the bar.

At the other end, Gabriel Obertan’s flick sent Yohan Cabaye clear for a second but Arsenal smothered the danger.

Wenger replaced Arshavin with Walcott and, within minutes, the Englishman nearly put Arsenal ahead. He received Ramsey’s pass on the left of the area, cut inside his marker and let fly. Krul gathered at the second attempt.

Arsenal were now penning Newcastle back in their own half and looking for the winner.

Then, in the 75th minute, the game changed

Gervinho sped down the left, darted inside the area and cut back on Tiote. The Arsenal winger went down under the trailing leg of the Newcastle midfielder and referee Walton waved play on.

However Barton took issue with Gervinho and a momentary melee ensued. Once the dust had settled referee Walton handed a red card to the Arsenal combatant and a yellow to the Newcastle one.

The dismissal sucked the life out of the game. Newcastle barely mustered a notable chance and Arsenal were reluctant to go forward for fear of finishing with no points.

They had deserved all three.

Fulham 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal will finish the 2010/11 Premier League season in fourth place.

Arsène Wenger’s side went into the final day hoping to sneak back above Manchester City but, in the end, only plundered a point thanks to Theo Walcott’s 89th-minute equaliser. And even that was irrelevant as Roberto Mancini’s men won at Bolton.

Steve Sidwell gave the home side the lead midway through the first half only for Robin van Persie to grab an excellent equaliser three minutes later.

Fulham took control after the break and deservedly regained the lead when Bobby Zamora nodded home from close range. However, the game changed when Zoltan Gera was sent off for a reckless foul on Thomas Vermaelen.

It handed the impetus to Arsenal and, just before the whistle, Walcott fired beyond Mark Schwarzer to preserve a point.

The draw was just about fair but it was not enough to bring that Champions League group spot.

However the point of a League competition is that it reflects your standard over the longer term - and
Wenger’s side are where they are. It could have been a lot better, it could have been worse.

But we all hope it will improve next term.

There was an overwhelming end-of-season feel to this game but, in fact, both sides had something at stake.

Arsenal’s target was clear while Fulham needed to win here and see Chelsea beat Everton in order to record their joint highest placing in the top flight.

Johan Djourou was passed fit but Alex Song(knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (hamstring) were missing. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) had already been ruled out

It was a blustery day in west London and the swirling wind would affect the first half.

Fulham were lively in the opening stages but their main ploy seemed to involve clipping lofted passes over the Arsenal backline. It troubled the visitors but the tactic was a little 'scattergun' on such a windy day.

The home side had the territorial advantage but did little with it. In fact, despite their pressure, it was Arsenal who created the first clear-cut chance.

In the 18th minute, Bacary Sagna curled a ball to the far post where Kieran Gibbs produced a towering header that forced a fine save out of Schwarzer.

Given their aerial attacks, it was ironic that Fulham went ahead with a slick move on the floor.

In the 26th minute, Zamora escaped on the right and cut the ball back for Sidwell. The Fulham midfielder punished his old side by slotting a simple goal past Wojciech Szczesny.

It was typical of Arsenal in the past couple of months but this afternoon they were level within three minutes.

Abou Diaby won the ball just inside the Arsenal half, slipped past his marker and exchanged passes with Marouane Chamakh before firing a low pass towards Van Persie in the area. The Dutchman’s control was instant and he slipped a shot past Schwarzer.

It was his 18th goal since January 1 in the Premier League season, equaling the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry. It was also the ninth consecutive Premier League away game in which he has scored.

Seven minutes from half time, Arsenal had a huge let off. Danny Murphy bundled through and his miskick put off Szczesny sufficiently that the ball went through the keeper and trickled towards the line.

Fortunately Vermaelen rushed back and hooked the bobbling ball just past the far post. It was type of defending Arsenal had missed throughout most of the past season.

Just before half-time, Manchester City went ahead at Bolton. If it stayed that way, they would secure third place no matter what Arsenal achieved at Craven Cottage.

They started well enough when Samir Nasri’s free-kick had to be pawed away by the stretching Schwarzer. However, after that, Fulham built up a head of steam and, in the 57th minute, took the lead once more.

Jonathan Greening drove to the byline and clipped a cross to the near post. Zamora rose above Vermaelen to steer home a header.

You could hardly argue with the goal. Overall Arsenal had started the second half in their shell and had been punished.

They nearly got on level terms immediately when Schwarzer spilled Van Persie’s cross into the path of Chamakh. The Moroccan’s first-time effort went just wide.

However Wenger knew his side needed a shake up. So, in the 64th minute, Gibbs, Diaby and Aaron Ramsey came off. Andrey Arshavin, Emmanuel Eboue and Walcott went on.

Simon Davies prodded the ball past the post after confusion in the Arsenal defence. It seemed that Fulham were going to cruise home.

However, 16 minutes from time, Gera was sent off. The Hungarian had only come off the bench four minutes earlier but, after going in two-footed on Vermaelen, referee Martin Atkinson had no choice to show the red card.

It handed the initiative to Arsenal and they nearly equalised when Arshavin drove past the far post after Fulham failed to clear their lines from a corner. Then, seven minutes from the end, Vermaelen headed over.

The dismissal had changed the game and the visitors were in control. A minute from time, Walcott powered down the right and his shot bounced off the inside of the far post before bobbling into the opposite side of the net.

In the end it meant nothing - Manchester City were in control at Bolton and would win 2-0 - but at least it avoided defeat.

To be honest, Wenger’s side needed the end of the season a few games ago.

Now it has arrived, they have the summer to rebuild.

Fulham Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“I feel there is something to play for because Man City still have a difficult game at Bolton,” said Arsène Wenger ahead of the trip to Fulham on Sunday. “We know that through our own experience up there.

“So that means it is down to us to just try and win our game. If they win, they win. The most important thing is that we are responsible and fight for our future.”

In truth that battle will be waged all summer.

Three months ago, the Arsenal fans were hopeful that the game at Craven Cottage would not be the last first-team appearance this season. There was the possibility of a Champions League Final at Wembley next weekend or perhaps a tour around Islington in an open-topped bus clutching something silver.

However, as it stands, Wenger’s side are not even in the bronze medal position in the Premier League. Manchester City pushed them down into fourth by beating Stoke on Tuesday.

It leaves Arsenal needing to better the result of Roberto Mancini’s men this weekend to take third and go directly into the Champions League group stage.

Finishing fourth will leave them contemplating not only another hurdle but a summer filled with what-might-have-beens.

“For me there is a massive difference,” said Wenger. “Fourth is playing a qualifier for the Champions League. That is not Champions League. Third is guaranteeing to be in the Champions League.

“But if fourth is a reality, we will have to face that. I believe in the last three months we had a mixture of disappointments and bad luck.

“We can only act on what we have an influence – and that means improving our quality. But when you see again the game we played against Aston Villa, it is unbelievable – some decisions are unexplainable to me in that game. For me, we won, 100 per cent. But we have to accept it, deal with it and come back even stronger.

“’[Failure] is a big name,” the Frenchman went on. “Overall I think we have been consistent. So it is more what I would call a big frustration because we were very close in all the competitions and we missed out on very little.

“We cannot say we are happy but as well we cannot say that it is a disaster. Overall I think that's the closest we have been to winning the title in recent years.

“That's why it's even more frustrating because if you look at the way we lost the games in the decisive moments it's clear that we need to add some maturity to our team. For example the way we lost in the Carling Cup Final, against Liverpool and the way we dropped points against Bolton in the last minute.

“So of course I feel the nerves played a part more than the talent in the fact we did not win the title.”

Samir Nasri (hamstring), Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) all face late tests ahead of the trip across the capital. Cesc Fabregas (thigh) certainly misses out while Johan Djourou (ankle) is hoping to be back.

If Fulham pip Arsenal and Chelsea beat Everton, then Mark Hughes’ side will finish seventh – equalling their highest ever placing in the top-flight. There is also the possibility of a Europa League place via the Fair Play League.

Fulham’s strength remains their defence – it is the best outside the top four. Meanwhile it is pertinent for Arsenal that 30 per cent of their goals have come from headers – the highest proportion in the top flight.

“They are a good side,” said Wenger. “They have a good technical level and they have a big squad. They lost at home to Liverpool and after that they won at Birmingham having changed players in the squad.

 “We will try to win the game, it’s as simple as that. A draw could be good enough if Man City lose at Bolton. I do not want to have any regrets now and so I just want to win the game.”

During his media work, Wenger was asked if he could ‘guarantee’ a trophy next season. It was a strange suggestion given that the experience of the last few months had demonstrated why that word is simply not present in footballing lexicon.

“I promise Arsenal fans that we will give our best to win trophies,” Wenger replied. “Who can guarantee that they will deliver trophies? We will give our best to do it and that is our main target.

“And what is a trophy? Is to finish tenth and win the Carling Cup a trophy? No.

“What I want to achieve is to keep the consistency in our quality, in our table position and deliver what I call trophies - the Premier League and the Champions League. You can say you will give the maximum to do it but you cannot guarantee that. You can only do that if you are crazy.”

Arsenal’s late demise has driven everyone a little mad to be honest. It has been fist-gnawing fare that only a masochist could enjoy.

However Sunday still has a huge significance. Mistakes and misfortune have been costly this term but finishing fourth impacts on the next campaign aswell.

Arsenal have unraveled and the prevailing mood is thunderous. But, whisper it quietly, they just might have been overpunished for their slips. Some final-day fortune may redress the balance somewhat.

Let's be clear, third place is not a trophy. Third place is not what anyone wanted.

But if Arsenal could just squeeze above Manchester City then they might be able to feel a little better about the concluding campaign.

And, of course, next term would be a little easier too.

Stoke City Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“There is a very little chance the title will happen,” said an earnest Arsène Wenger in his pre-match press conference. “But I do not want to come out of the season and think that if we had won at Stoke, then our last two games, we would have made it.

“I don't leave in dreamland, I live in a realistic world. But we all live in a competitive world and a real competitor fights until the end.”

It is only attitude the Arsenal manager can adopt right now. If his side win at Britannia Stadium on Sunday lunchtime and Chelsea beat Manchester United a little later that day then Wenger’s side will be a win away from the leading pair with two games left. They would be in touch but in need of assistance.

We thought we’d left all the hypotheticals back at Bolton a fortnight ago but the victory over the leaders last weekend allows us a little latitude once more. Some English bookmakers have Arsenal at 100/1 to win the title, Wenger himself says it should be about 20/1. Either way, the challenge this weekend is merely to remain ‘in the mix’.

“There's a little chance, yes,” said Wenger. “At the moment we have a five per cent chance to be in the battle. So the most important thing is for us to give absolutely everything to be in there. After that you never know.

“Of course, we need Chelsea to win and then the two teams involved still to drop points in one game. We need exceptionally positive circumstances and that has not been the case until now this year. But I do not want to have any regrets.”

So first place is a distant dream and second a target. But anything lower than third would be a blow to both Arsenal’s current and upcoming campaign.

“The first step for us was to be in the top four,” said Wenger. “Last Sunday was a decisive move in that because if Tottenham had won at Chelsea and we had lost against Manchester United, they would be six points behind us with a game in hand. Now, we still go step-by-step and the next step is to be in the top three.

“Of course, we want to avoid the Champions League qualifier. We always coped with it in the past. We had to do it a few times and we have done it in a convincing way.

“But we know we are not out of there yet. Many teams will try to be in the top three and we will do absolutely everything to be in there.”

Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy (hamstring) face late fitness tests. Cesc Fabregas (thigh), Samir Nasri (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (calf) are definitely out.

Thomas Vermaelen could be involved in a first-team game for the first time since August last year. Meanwhile Aaron Ramsey will make only his third start for Arsenal since suffering a horrible broken leg at the Britannia Stadium in February 2010.

The Welshman capped a wonderful display with the winning goal against Manchester United last Sunday. It is inevitable that Ramsey and his tackler on that fateful day, Ryan Shawcross, will have a back-page build-up to the game. But, during his media work, Wenger was keen to use football as the ultimate therapy.

“It was an accident that happened,” he said. “You do not want to skip games when you are a football player because of geography.

“The best way to deal with the situation is to focus to play well and win the game.”

Stoke have had a successful season. They secured their Premier League status very early and have reached the FA Cup Final. It will be historic should they beat Manchester City next week at Wembley while a top 10 place would be their best finish for 37 years.

They have lost just one of their last six games but then Arsenal have taken 30 points on the road this season – the best in the Premier League. However it is testament to their tail-off that victory on Sunday would be the first time they had registered back-to-back wins since February.

“Reaching the FA Cup final is a massive achievement for Stoke,” said Wenger. “Especially the way they won the Semi-Final.

“But if you look at the difficulty of staying in the Premier League then the fact they were safe so early is a great credit to them too.”

Last Sunday’s win over Manchester United was probably the best of the season. It was a dominant performance against a top side in fine form. Unlike the victory over Barcelona, Arsenal dominated throughout and when they beat Chelsea late last year the Stamford Bridge were off their game.

However in terms of significance the victory barely ranks in the top six.

Arsenal lost their way for a couple of months before Sunday and are now relying on others to put them back on course.

All they can do is win and hope.

Bolton Wanderers Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

“We are in a very interesting situation where we are fighting for the title and yet I am always sitting in a position where you force me to explain why we fail,” said a stony-faced Arsène Wenger at his press conference on Friday.

“For me it's not a comfortable situation because we are fighting in a period where the most important thing is to have belief in what we do and you keep saying 'why have you failed to win?'

“Let's just play for it first and have a go. For me it is important to give absolutely everything until the last game of the season and to be proud. Then, as I have said many times, if there has been somebody better we will have to accept that but, at the moment I don't accept that there is somebody better.”

Those three paragraphs sum up Arsenal’s position perfectly.

They themselves placed the high jump bar to an unprecedented level and have then been pilloried for knocking it off with their trailing leg as they leapt for gold.

Right now it looks like they must settle for a podium place in the main event but the competition is not over. During the past couple of months, Manchester United have provided Wenger’s men with ample opportunity to bridge the gap at the top – they did so in midweek at Newcastle.

Arsenal’s failure to take these chances only make their current predicament doubly frustrating but it does not make Sir Alex Ferguson’s side any stronger – only the position they occupy.

The midweek draws at St James Park and White Hart Lane helped push Chelsea up to second and gave them a scent of the title once more. The Stamford Bridge side have what Arsenal lack – momentum. But both have the opportunity to take points off Manchester United in direct confrontations in the final few games.

Arsenal’s comes next Sunday at Emirates Stadium. It is sandwiched between a couple of tough trips – Bolton this weekend and Stoke in a fortnight.

While the form, fortune and football fraternity are all doubting Wenger’s side right now, three straight wins would put them back in touching distance of the title.

That is why the manager wants the usual ‘blame game’ to start once the title race is over.

And that simply has not happened yet.

“I have no doubt at all we can win all five games,” said Wenger.

“We have a good basis because we are consistent. As you know, we have played 16 games without losing so what I feel is most important for us now is to keep the belief and to win.

“I am convinced that if we win our five games we will win the Premier League. But the target right now is just to win the next one so let’s focus and give absolutely everything to do that. This title will go to the most solid team, mentally. Not necessarily to anybody else. The mental part of the belief is the most important thing to have in the last five games.

“We have beaten Chelsea already and, in our plan, we have to beat Man United now for sure. But even then they can drop points [elsewhere] as well so let’s just win the next game when we go to Bolton.”

Abou Diaby (calf) is the only new absentee for the trip to the Reebok Stadium which Tomas Rosicky will also miss due to sickness. Thomas Vermaelen is in training and Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is out for the season. Those four are the extent of the injury list at the Club.

Crucially, Bolton will have Daniel Sturridge back in their side on Sunday. The striker has hit six goals in his eight Premier League games on loan from Chelsea and was sorely missed in the 5-0 defeat to Stoke in the FA Cup Semi-Final last weekend.

Owen Coyle’s side have had a highly-creditable campaign but that Wembley defeat will surely taint the memory and, perhaps, their end-of-season form. But they have won their last four games at home keeping clean sheets in three of them.  Arsenal will not presume weakness.

“Bolton have done very well,” said Wenger. “They have just had a massive disappointment, certainly but overall they have been one of the teams above expectations.

“They would have been thinking about going to the Cup Final and the disappointment must be huge for them. How they will respond I don't know but we have to focus on our own performance in a game of this stature.”

Arsenal are unbeaten in 2011 but have drawn five of their last six games. It was a similar run of stalemates that cost them the title in 2008 when they were leading the table well into March. The only difference this time is that they had most of those games under control.

Earlier in the week, Robin van Persie called their failure to hold on to a lead “almost criminal”. Wenger both disagrees and sympathises.

“I can accept that he feels that way but it is not criminal,” said the manager. “However I use that word sometimes as well. It's how he feels because he is committed to the Club and the team.

“And certainly it is difficult to comprehend. But I think it's a little bit through a desire to do well. What happened to us in the Carling Cup Final was not quality, just nerves, and it happened again against Tottenham and Liverpool.”

Forgive me for donning the rose-tinted spectacles but perhaps that is where the general perception of Arsenal actually may help the team this weekend.

The wider football world feels the team have blown their title chances so maybe the shackles can come off and the early season away form can return.

Either way, Arsenal cannot be discounted just yet. While the expectations have been extinguished for now, at least the hope remains.

Sir Alex Ferguson claims Chelsea are in a stronger position than Arsenal in the title run-in

 

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea are a stronger team than Arsenal due to their experience but concedes Arsene Wenger's men are the better footballing side.

Chelsea currently sit second in the table on goal difference after a mid-season blip had dented their title aspirations. Ferguson maintains his side capitalised fully on Carlo Ancelotti's men slipping up but warns the current champions are in a better position than Wenger's charges to mount a late surge.

"I said a few weeks ago that Chelsea would be our main challengers. Now they are above Arsenal," Ferguson told reporters.

"I have that slight preference for Chelsea because their fixture list is a wee bit easier but they have to come to Old Trafford and that's not going to be easy for them. Chelsea are far more experienced than Arsenal.

"Chelsea are a strong team with strong experience. That's the difference between the two teams. Arsenal are the better footballers but Chelsea are the better, stronger team.

"At the beginning of the season Chelsea were favourites to reclaim the Premier League, but a mid-season slump saw them lose momentum allowing United to gain an advantage.

"We all get blips in a season. Chelsea were odds-on at one point for the Premier League and then they hit that blip. But credit to us – we took advantage of that."

Manchester Unted face Everton on Saturday but Ferguson has praised the way David Moyes has guided his side to seven games without defeat, despite having a host of key first-team personnel sidelined.

"Everton have done exceptionally well considering David has had a mountain of injuries in the last few weeks, being without Cahill, Arteta, Saha and Fellaini but still turning out the results. David keeps motivating them."

Darren Fletcher is set to make his return from injury and Ferguson has revealed the Scot will takes his place in midfield once he is fully fit.

"In big games, important games, Darren has excelled over the years because he has the knowledge and discipline to carry out a job, whatever I want him to do," said Ferguson.

"When he does come back, he will go straight into the team."

West Ham’s Scott Parker received the Football Writers' award on Friday, while United captain Nemanja Vidic came third. Ferguson maintains the midfielder is deserving of the accolade.

"Scott Parker has certainly done a good job at West Ham,'' said Ferguson. "He's probably the player who's driven them on, motivated them to be where they are and still with a chance of staying up.

"They've got a mountain to climb – they go to Chelsea. But he's been the driving force in that West Ham team. In a way it's a good thing to recognise the good pros in the game."

"It's nice to recognise somebody outside of the celebrity clubs in the Premier League, the teams who are getting all the publicity like United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham."

Ferguson reflected on previous winners, one in particular, Tottenham midfielder David Ginola, who scooped the award in 1999, and maintains the Frenchman was a surprise considering his side won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League that season.

"I remember when we won the treble, David Ginola got it. He was a nice player, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against David Ginola at all, but I thought it was an insult to Manchester United. How can we not have had one player who had a better season than David Ginola?

"I suppose at the time you picked David Ginola, we still had four games to go, and may had won nothing,'' he added.

Following Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s hospital admission, fellow Premier League managers have come out in support of the Frenchman. Ferguson believes age is the determining factor of managerial illness - rather than stress as a result of the job.

"Some mornings I wake up with aches and pains and I worry what it is,'' said the 69-year-old.
"I sometimes say to my doctor: 'I've got a pain here and a pain there.' He says: 'It's your age, you're growing old. You have to pay attention to your health when you get older. It doesn't come without penalties.

"Modern nutrition and lifestyle mean people live longer but it doesn't guarantee complete health all your life. I had a pacemaker put in seven years ago. That was the first indication that your body is not working the same as 20 years ago."

Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool - Match Preview

Arsenal’s title challenge suffered another dent as Liverpool snatched a point in a controversial tale of two penalties.

Robin van Persie looked to have sewn up a vital win with a coolly-dispatched spot-kick in the eighth and apparently final minute of stoppage time added on after a sickening injury to Jamie Carragher.
But with 101 minutes on the clock Dirk Kuyt restored parity with the last kick of the game after Emmanuel Eboue pushed Lucas Leiva.
It was another disheartening blow on home soil and it was probably ill-deserved. Arsenal had made most of the running without ever looking at their best and went closest before that frantic finale when Laurent Koscielny crashed a header against the crossbar.

When the dust settles, Arsenal will find themselves six points behind Manchester United with six games each to play. The leaders travel south on May 1 but Arsène Wenger’s side need favours from other teams now.

And they need to win their own games too, starting with Tottenham in the North London derby on Wednesday.

Ultimately this will go down as a frustrating day but it will also be remembered as a poignant one. Before the match the whole of Emirates Stadium rose in tribute to the late Danny Fiszman as well as the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster which unfolded 22 years ago this week.

The Emirates was especially colourful on this sunny Sunday afternoon as the dark coats of winter made way for replica shirt sleeves. And Arsenal’s fans had an extra spring in their step after discovering that Wojciech Szczesny and Johan Djourou were back in the starting line-up. There was a third change as Andrey Arshavin made way for Theo Walcott and, with Alex Song also fit and among the subs, Wenger’s squad had virtually a clean bill of health.

It was just as well given the identity of their opponents. Liverpool are a very different beast from the one that squandered a winning position in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the campaign. And in Andy Carroll they have a beast of a striker who has already scored a winning goal here this season – for Newcastle in November.

Carroll’s much-touted strength in the air was expected to be Liverpool’s main threat but the England man was beaten to a high ball in the fourth minute as Diaby rose to glance Cesc Fabregas’ inswinging free-kick past the far post.

There were tit-bits for the visitors to snack on in the opening moments – Luis Suarez warmed up Szczesny with a low free-kick before Carroll headed tamely over and then wide. But Arsenal started to take a grip with Eboue offering dynamic support from right back behind the usual suspects.

A savage snap-shot from Walcott surprised Reina in the 13th minute and the Liverpool keeper got nowhere near a Van Persie corner four minutes later as Koscielny soared above him and Carragher to crash a header against the bar. Djourou was first to the rebound and nodded down for Walcott to wallop a shot against Kuyt’s arm but the penalty shout was rightly turned down.

Carroll was increasingly isolated at the other end as strike partner Suarez dropped back to help. And although Liverpool couldn’t stem the flow of Arsenal’s forward movement, they did deny them the space to carve out gilt-edged opportunities.

Fabregas and Van Persie linked up twice in three minutes just before the half-hour mark. First the captain picked out his team-mate with a clip over the top – a tactic deployed so successfully at Blackpool last weekend – but Van Persie was marginally offside as he drilled the ball past Reina. Then a one-two on the edge of the box left Fabregas in a decent position but he dragged his left-footed effort wide.

By now Fabio Aurelio had limped off and Walcott looked to expose his replacement at left back, Jack Robinson. But it was the man stationed behind him, Eboue, who fired the last meaningful shot of the half after drifting into the area and collecting Fabregas’ pass. The Ivorian’s low effort hit Martin Skrtel and looped past Reina before spinning just wide.

After a half-time talking to, Liverpool emerged from the break with far more purpose and Szczesny was relieved to watch Suarez’s effort fizz past his right-hand post. But the visitors lost their second defender of the afternoon just before the hour when Carragher was stretchered off after a horrible collision with John Flanagan.

That gave Arsenal time to regroup and they improved after that long delay. Walcott just failed to pick out Van Persie with a low cross and the Dutchman saw an attempted lob flick off a defender after Fabregas had picked him out with a searching pass.

Van Persie was first to Nasri’s resulting corner, guiding a header into the side-netting at Reina’s near post. Arsenal were getting closer without ever looking totally convincing.

Suarez was though. Pushed on after Carroll’s departure, the Uruguayan tested Szczesny with one curling effort and then saw an ever better chance snaffled by the Polish goalkeeper.

By now Wenger had brought on Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner for Walcott and a tiring Jack Wilshere. Song would follow them on before the end.


There was plenty of time for one final push.

Gael Clichy’s raking cross was met by Van Persie’s flick header but Reina plucked it out of the air. Then the Liverpool keeper stood up brilliantly to deny the Dutchman as he went clean through five minutes from time. Fabregas worked the rebound to Bendtner but Reina was equal to his dipping volley too.

Suarez almost made Arsenal pay but sliced a golden chance high and wide from a narrow angle.

The fourth official’s appearance offered hope: there would be EIGHT minutes of stoppage time thanks to Carragher’s injury.

And after Reina dealt authoratively with a succession of crosses, the chance Arsenal craved arrived when Spearing clumsily brought Fabregas down inside the box with the clock showing 97 minutes.

Up stepped Van Persie. Calm as you like he slotted the ball to the bottom-left corner while Reina chose the other way.

Cue pandemonium.

But there was a horrible twist in the 101st minute. Suarez's free kick was blocked, Eboue pushed Lucas in a race for the loose ball, another penalty was awarded and Kuyt levelled it up.

It was the final kick of the game.

Arsenal Vs Liverpool - Match Preview

"Manchester United have still got to come to Emirates Stadium."

We've heard that time and again in recent months as Arsenal have tracked their old rivals at the top of the Premier League. But the significance of winning that potential title 'six-pointer' on May 1 will count for nothing if Arsène Wenger's squad fluff their lines in the next week.

A season-defining seven days starts with the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, continues with a local derby at White Hart Lane on Wednesday and concludes with a traditionally tricky trip to Bolton on Easter Day. Maximum points from that trilogy is a lot to ask but it might be necessary to ensure United's trip south remains relevant.

Having turned the proverbial corner with a win at Blackpool last weekend, Arsenal's week has been dominated by off-field matters - KSE's offer for the Club on Monday and the sad death of Danny Fiszman on Wednesday. Having paid his respects to his former colleague, Wenger's gaze returned to matters on the pitch on Friday and he is in no doubt that his players have put the misery of their recent cup exits behind them.

"This team is focused," said the Frenchman. "I've told you many times I'm very proud to manage this team because they are focused, they want to do well.

"Unfortunately we have been hit very hard but we have not been out of every competition early on having not performed. This team has given absolutely everything to perform in every competition and we are still today in the championship.

"We lost against Barcelona by just a goal, we did not lose against them with an ugly performance, we produced in the two games what we could and we did as well as we could against maybe the best team at the moment in the world and we were very close.

"Nobody takes into consideration that in football you lose sometimes, but it is as well how you lose."

Losing is not an option on Sunday but this is arguably a bad time to face Liverpool. Pepe Reina's flap on the opening weekend of the season may have gifted Arsenal a point at Anfield and set the tone for a five-month malaise that precipitated Roy Hodgson's removal as manager, but the Reds have been on the rise as of late.

Eyebrows were raised when Kenny Dalglish was handed the caretaker reins in January - his previous game as a manager of a top-flight English club was Newcastle's 1998 FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal - but the old Kop hero has already stockpiled 23 Premier League points to Hodgson's 25 - in eight fewer games.

"It was strange to see him [Dalglish] back because for a while he was Director of Football at Liverpool so it looked like he had decided not to come back into the game," said Wenger. "But certainly Liverpool has a special meaning for him and that is why he decided to come back.

"Liverpool have done well since then. They had a slow start but you expected them to come back to some decent performances. The confidence dropped early in the season and then it is very difficult. Since they have come back and they had as well the bad luck of Steven Gerrard being ruled out for a long time, but you are not surprised that Liverpool is one of the best teams in this league."

Galvanised by Dalglish, Liverpool have also been lifted by the arrival of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll - paid for with the proceeds of the £50million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea. That looks like increasingly savvy business - while Torres waits to break his duck at Stamford Bridge, Suarez and Carroll have shared four goals in nine League starts.

The former is facing Arsenal for the first time; not so the latter. Carroll inflicted as much damage as anyone on Arsenal's title challenge with a towering headed winner when Newcastle visited the Emirates back in November and Wenger knows exactly what to expect from him on Sunday.

"He is physically very strong, he has a good understanding of the game on crosses, long balls, he uses his body well and he is very good in the air," noted the Frenchman. "He is very young as well so there is still a lot to come from him.

"You certainly have in your mind the goal he scored against Manchester City [on Monday], Liverpool's third goal [in a 3-0 win]. It is typically a striker's goal, good anticipation, good deflection of the ball. He is a typical type of English centre forward, Carroll, so we have to keep him quiet."

Wenger pointed out at his pre-match press conference that Nicklas Bendtner is the closest player to Carroll in Arsenal's ranks in terms of strength and aerial ability. Whether or not the Dane gets a chance to prove it this weekend remains to be seen after his manager reported a virtually clean bill of health.

Lukasz Fabianski (shoulder) is the only long-term absentee while Bacary Sagna and Manuel Almunia (both knee) are doubts for Sunday. But Wojciech Szczesny (finger), Alex Song (knee) and Johan Djourou (shoulder) are all expected to return to the squad while even Thomas Vermaelen is back in full training.

It's exactly the news Wenger needed ahead of what has become a bellwether fixture for Arsenal in modern times. Wins at Anfield propelled the Gunners to the title in 1989 (obviously), 1991 and 2002 while a 4-2 win seven Aprils ago proved pivotal to the 'Invincibles' campaign.

"Both teams have always had a very positive philosophy in the games and went forward," reflected Wenger. "We have some good and bad memories but they were always very exciting games.

"Liverpool had a good game on Monday night, we won the day before, so it promises to be a very exciting game. They have a good offensive force with Carroll and Suarez and we are as well an offensive team so it promises to be an interesting game. We have a good opportunity to reduce the distance with Man United and we want of course to take it."

Ah yes, United. In case you hadn't noticed, they have no option but to take their eyes off the Premier League prize this weekend while an FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley against their Manchester rivals occupies their minds.

By the time they look up, Arsenal could be just four points behind with six games left to play.

If they are, that much-touted May clash at the Emirates will be as significant as ever.

Blackpool 1 - 3 Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsenal kept themselves on the coat-tails of Manchester United with a highly-entertaining and hugely-important 3-1 win at Blackpool on Sunday.

There was drama before kick-off when Manuel Almunia injured himself in the warm-up and Jens Lehmann, at 41, played his first game for the Club in three years and, with it, registered 200 appearances.

Blackpool sensed weakness in the early stages but Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue scored within three minutes midway through the first half to give the visitors control.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher prodded Blackpool back in touch just after the restart but, as they had in the first half, Arsenal gradually tightened their grip on the game and fully deserved Robin van Persie’s goal with 14 minutes left.

This was by-no-means a perfect performance from Arsène Wenger’s side. But it did possess a fluency and creativity that they have lacked in recent games.

It leaves Arsenal seven points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. That comes next Sunday at home to Liverpool while Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are otherwise employed in the FA Cup Semi-Final.

Given they entertain Manchester United at Emirates Stadium too, Arsenal are still part of a title race.

The margin for error is now thin but Wenger’s men are certainly still involved.

The pre-game news was all about Lehmann. The German was making his first Arsenal appearance since May 2008 and his first in top-fight football since ending his career at Stuttgart last summer.

Elsewhere Cesc Fabregas, Eboue and Diaby came back into the side. Alex Song, Bacary Sagna and Theo Walcott dropped out. The first two were injured, the third made the bench.

The late drama seemed to buoy Blackpool and they forced Arsenal back in the opening minutes. However their pressure created only one real chance. It came when Charlie Adam’s corner was nodded wide by the stooping Ian Evatt. At the other end Andrey Arshavin hacked horribly wide with keeper Richard Kingson stranded.

Van Persie fired a free-kick over the bar and, minutes later, saw the keeper intervene after failing to adequately control a lofted pass from Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal seemed to be gradually gaining control and two goals in three minutes would confirm their position.

In the 17th minute, Van Persie went clear on the left and crossed low to the far post where the unmarked Diaby converted.

Then Eboue raced forward down the right, burst into the area, exchanged passes with Wilshere and thumped past Kingson from close range.

The Ivorian threw off the celebrations of his fellow players and ran to the visiting support then kissed the badge on his shirt. It was his first Premier League goal for over two years.

Blackpool were now utterly on the back foot and could have conceded a couple more before the break.

Fabregas lofted a pass into the path of Van Persie, who chested the ball down expertly but could only sidefoot straight at Kingson.

In the 36th minute, Arshavin prodded Nasri through only for the goalkeeper to block his shot. The ball was eventually recycled to Fabregas who chipped the Frenchman clear 12 yards out. He hooked his shot past Kingson but the ball bounced off the outside of the post.

Arsenal were now attacking at will and creating clear-cut opportunities all the time. Blackpool were dangerous going forward but wide open at the back

Six minutes from the whistle, Van Perise beat the offside trap but Kingson raced out of his area to pressurise. The Dutchman found Diaby who tried to cut inside but was dispossessed.

Shortly afterwards Van Persie thought he had a third but was rightly flagged offside in the build-up.

However Blackpool would finish the half like they had started it - with a chance at the near post. Taylor-Fletcher drove to the byline and Luke Varney’s touch was blocked partly by Laurent Koscielny, partly Lehmann. However it was Fabregas who cleared the vulnerable ball off the line.

Van Persie seemed to be bundled over in injury time but referee Lee Mason waved play on. He did the same thing at the start of the second half when Diaby was alleged to have handled.

Once again, Blackpool began well. Shortly afterwards Varney should have converted at the near post from Adam’s low free-kick.

In the 52nd minute, Jason Puncheon slipped the ball towards DJ Campbell but Lehmann raced out and seemed to clip the Blackpool striker. Everyone waited for a whistle but referee Mason played the advantage and Taylor-Fletcher maintained his poise to fire home.

The goal rattled Arsenal and they might have conceded twice in the minutes that followed. Firstly Koscielny seemed to bring down Taylor-Fletcher just inside the area then the unmarked Keith Southern failed to nod home at the near post following a cross by the former.

However as the game reached the three-quarter stage, Arsenal were back on top. Van Persie drove a grubber shot past the far post and then, in the 73rd minute, fizzed a fine volley beyond the same upright.

The third goal arrived three minutes later. Sebastien Squillaci mopped up danger at the back and Diaby fled forward down the right to find substitute Walcott. He crossed for Van Persie to sidefoot past Kingson.

Ten minutes from time, Fabregas nodded inches past the post.

However, in between came Lehmann’s moment. Taylor-Fletcher caught Gael Clichy in possession and put Campbell clear. The German stood up well to block.

It was Blackpool’s last chance and Arsenal cruised home. At the end, a few Arsenal players threw their shirt to the visiting supporters.

Both need to believe if Wenger’s men are going to win the title now.

But this victory and that gesture can only help.

Blackpool Vs Arsenal - Match Preview

Arsène Wenger is fully prepared for the fight ahead.

The Frenchman spent most of the press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Blackpool deflecting perceived criticism of his side.

The goalless draw against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium last Saturday was both costly and frustrating for everyone with an Arsenal allegiance.

A disjointed performance saw the home side drop two points and allowed Manchester United to go seven clear at the top of the Premier League, albeit having played a game more.

But Wenger refuses to accept the result nailed down the coffin lid on their campaign.

For example, when asked on Friday how he assessed this season, he retorted immediately: “The season is not over.”

His point was simple. Eight games represents 24 points and, in this title race especially, that is a massive margin.

Manchester United have shown their mettle this week by overturning West Ham at Upton Park and then Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. But they have shown an unusual fallibility previously this season.

Yes, having gone five games without a win, Arsenal are at a low ebb right now but this is a season when presumption and prediction have often led to embarrassment. So Wenger is not going to give up now.

“I am very much up for a fight,” he said. “When you have a disappointing game, as we did, you are down because you want this club to win every single game.

“But the way we respond now until the end of the season is hugely important for us. We have worked so hard since the start that is very important we battle until the end.

“If there is a team that is better than us then we have to accept it. But I believe we do not have to be ashamed at the moment of what we have done.

“Rather, I have to be proud because if I took statements from all the people here at the start of the season we would not even be in the top five. Now it seems it is a scandal we are second.

“We have to accept it. People can change their minds but we have to fight. That’s what makes a top-level sportsman.”

Cesc Fabregas will be ready to start on Sunday having only been fit enough for the bench against Blackburn. Aaron Ramsey (groin) is back but Alex Song (knee), Bacary Sagna (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle) may miss out.

Looking further ahead, Johan Djourou (shoulder) and Wojciech Szczesny (finger) may be in training next week. Meanwhile Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) could follow them soon afterwards.

After a superb start, Blackpool are have been sliding down the table since the turn of the year and are now just one place above the drop zone. They have lost ten of their 14 games in 2011 and are in serious trouble of relegation.

“They have had great success because nobody expected them to be where they are,” said Wenger. “They are going through a difficult period now but overall they have played good football and have done very well.”
And, early on, it was success with style. Ian Holloway’s side were praised for their expansive approach and the manager retained that policy even after they were beaten 6-0 at Emirates Stadium back in August.

Like the town and their manager, Blackpool are entertainers at heart. No visiting side has kept a clean sheet in 14 Premier League matches at Bloomfield Road this season. However Wenger believes they will adopt a more circumspect attitude at the weekend.

“We expect every team to defend well against us,” he said. “Before the game everybody says if you don’t defend you will not touch the ball. So we expect even Blackpool to change their way.”

Once again, this is a massive game for Arsenal. The pressure is intense right now so they all are.
Wenger’s men are still unbeaten in the Premier League since that 1-0 reverse at Old Trafford in December and have kept a clean sheet in eight of their last 11 fixtures.

Despite perceived weakness at the back, their defensive record is better than Manchester United and, at the moment, it is draws, not defeats, that are sucking the life out of their title challenge.
All reasons why the manager feels over-criticised.

Of course, Wenger has broad shoulders and has been here before. Remember he built his reputation in England on that four-month unbeaten run that took Arsenal to the title in 1998. However before Christmas that year there had been rumblings of discontent at Highbury.

And, while it is frustrating to be ‘nearly men’ in terms of trophies, the team’s success is measured against the standards Wenger himself has set. He maintains his side IS coming together and, overall, his track record in this area is strong.

“It doesn't hurt me personally,” the 61-year-old said. “But it bothers me that the players do not get the recognition for what they have put in since the start of the season.

“You do not go to the Carling Cup Final or the Quarter-Final of the FA Cup or lose in the Champions League to Barcelona giving absolutely everything – and are the victim of some unbelievable decisions – by not fighting every day.

“I have been in football a long time and I can tell you these players have been absolutely outstanding from the first day of the season.

“And that is why I will fight until the last day of the season to reward these players.”

If the reward is going to come it may take that sort of effort.

But certainly this is no time to start throwing in the towel.

The fight for the title is not over. In fact it has only just begun.
And Arsène has his gloves on.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview

Arsenal lost ground in the title race after being held by a dogged Blackburn Rovers side at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Manchester United’s lunchtime comeback at West Ham had put them eight points ahead having played two games more.

Arsène Wenger’s men reduced both those figures by one in a frustrating 90 minutes but it was not enough.

The home side started well but perhaps their best chance came in the final seconds when Nicklas Bendtner’s header was cleared off the line by Michel Salgado.

Arsenal are not out of the race but, crucially, their fate is now out of their hands.

Wenger’s side lacked a cutting edge and and a little luck this evening - even Steven N'Zonzi's late dismissal could not bring about a goal. They need to put both right very quickly or their title hopes may slip away.

However, this Premier League story has been a rollercoaster all season and there are sure to be a few plot twists in the final eight games.

That Manchester United result made this game massive for Arsenal. Fortunately they had re-enforcements. Theo Walcott (ankle) returned for the first time since the win over Stoke on February 23 while Alex Song (knee) had last figured in the Carling Cup Final. Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Abou Diaby (groin) were back aswell but only made the bench.

Robin van Persie started despite having hobbled off with a knee injury playing for Holland in midweek.

This was a tea-time kick-off but British summertime had started last weekend so the floodlights were barely required early on and coats were strictly optional.

Ten minutes before kick-off, Emirates Stadium enjoyed a tribute to David Rocastle on the tenth anniversary of his death.

If Arsenal were going to win the Premier League they would require some of Rocky’s tenacity in the final nine games.

And they certainly began the right way this afternoon.

The home side conjured up three chances in the opening six minutes. Song drove wide, Ryan Nelsen’s miscue drifted past of his own post and, finally, Walcott’s near post shot was pushed wide by Paul Robinson.

Arsenal were searching for the cushion of that early goal. And they were looking in all the right places.

However, a nasty injury to Samir Nasri disrupted their flow. As the Frenchman nodded over Andrey Arshavin’s cross, Nelsen headed the Arsenal midfielder on the temple.

Nasri’s was left with an egg-like swelling and subsequently a hefty bandage. Arsenal were out of sorts for 15 minutes as a result.

Blackburn did not profit though. Only Brett Emerton’s free-kick threatened Manuel Almunia’s goal.

As we reached the midpoint of the half, Arsenal had recovered. Robinson spilled Arshavin’s drive then an unmarked Wilshere sidefooted wide from close range after more good work from Walcott on the right.

However this was not one-way traffic. David Hoilett’s deflected drive was fumbled around the post by Almunia. Then, the same striker profited on Bacary Sagna’s error and, yet again, his effort ricocheted off an Arsenal defender and went wide.

The home side continued to attack but there was a fragile feeling about the defence today. In injury time, Robinson thumped a ‘Hail Mary’ of a free-kick into the area and N’Zonzi climbed above Almunia to nod wide with the goal gaping.

But the home side finished the half on the attack. Nasri’s swivelling shot was blocked and, from the corner, Sagna drove over the bar.

The effort and the emphasis was on the Blackburn goal once again at the start of the second half but this was proving to be a frustrating evening for Arsenal.

In the 55th minute, Nasri sent Wilshere momentarily clear on the right but he chose to cross not shoot and only won a corner. When it was swung over, Koscielny’s header was clutched by Robinson on the line.

On the hour, Wenger played his trump card. He brought on Fabregas as a replacement for Arshavin.

But it was followed by a significant substitution by Steve Kean. The visiting manager introduced Jason Roberts. The burly frontman was the perfect foil for a side now playing on the break.

That was the pattern of the game - Arsenal trying to pass their way to a goal, Blackburn happy to counterattack when those moves broke down.

Van Persie’s drive was saved by Robinson but by now the visitors were starting to show a little more confidence going forward.

With 15 minutes left, N’Zonzi fired over after a spell of Blackburn pressure. It would be his last positive act in the game. Seconds later he went in two-footed on Koscielny and was shown a straight red card.

That only increased the urgency about Arsenal. With 11 minutes left, Van Persie’s backheel freed Wilshere on the left-hand byline. He cut the ball back to substitute Marouane Chamakh whose goal-bound shot was blocked by the diving Martin Olsson.

Shortly afterwards, another substitute, Bendtner, sent a towering header wide.

Arsenal were now going for it. They had no choice. Wenger’s men had dropped two points at West Brom, another two would be a big blow to their title hopes.

In the final minute, Van Persie’s corner was met firmly by the head of Bendtner at the far post. However Salgado chested the ball off the line.

Deep into injury time, Van Persie headed over from close range.

This was a huge disappointment but it is not terminal. Arsenal must just keep plugging away while hoping their luck and their sparkle returns.

Nothing has been decided yet.

Arsenal Vs Blackburn Rovers - Match Preview

You might not think it but, right now, Arsène Wenger really does have all he needs.

The last international break of the campaign has just finished so the Arsenal manager goes into the final nine Premier League games of the season with a relatively fit squad, no distractions and, most importantly, his destiny in his own hands.

February ended with a Carling Cup Final defeat, March saw them stumble out of two more competitions but April just might still be their salvation.

There have been vultures circling over Arsenal’s season ever since that defeat at Barcelona. And the scent of weakness grew a little more pungent a fortnight ago after the 2-2 draw at West Brom.

Manchester United’s narrow 1-0 win over Bolton on the same day hauled them five points ahead in the table having played a game more. If the leaders beat West Ham on Saturday lunchtime, the gap will be a mighty eight points by the time Arsenal kick-off in the early evening fixture against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium.

However, at the same time, Wenger knows his side WILL be champions if they win these nine games and so he has no time for recrimination, reflection and regret. The margins are too thin and time too short.

“If you worry about yesterday, you harm tomorrow’s chances,” he mused at Friday’s press conference. “Let’s just look forward at what we can achieve.

“Nobody can say we have not tried to go for everything but what is important now is just to focus on what we still can achieve and what would be a magnificent season.

“We have been a bit unlucky with the fixtures because we had many important games one after the other. It was very difficult to deal with that because we lost many players but, attitude-wise, this group has been fantastic and they deserve to be rewarded.

“We are in April now. We did not have many games in March but we kept our unbeaten run going even when it was under threat at West Brom when we were 2-0 down. We had a difficult month on all fronts so now it’s a new start for us.”

If Arsenal do win the title, March may be viewed retrospectively as being beneficial by  ‘clearing the decks’. Having been busy to a record-breaking extent in January and February, Arsenal have now just one midweek fixture remaining. On the other hand, Manchester United must juggle FA Cup and Champions League commitments while battling to keep their noses in front in the title race.

“I don’t know how much of a factor that will be,” admitted Wenger. “But it could be a help for us because in December, January and February we basically played nine games per month. In the end it was too much. We lost important players for key games.

“We have a week to recover between every game now. That should help us but let’s just focus on our performances and not [wait for] anybody else to slip up. It’s down to us.”

The two-week gap since West Brom has allowed Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Alex Song (knee), Abou Diaby (groin) and Theo Walcott (ankle) to return. Robin van Persie (knee) and Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) have recovered after picking up injuries on international duty in midweek. Denilson (toe) and Aaron Ramsey (groin) miss out.

History would suggest Blackburn are the perfect opponents for Arsenal this weekend. The Lancashire side have lost their last seven encounters against Wenger’s men conceding, on average, 3.5 goals per game. Steve Kean’s outfit have not won in their last six games this season whereas Wenger’s men are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches.

Blackburn have lost all six away games in 2011 conceding 18 goals. Arsenal, on the other hand, have registered four wins and two draws at Emirates Stadium this year conceding just once – and that was a Louis Saha’s controversial goal for Everton in February.

However, after somewhat surprisingly replacing Sam Allardyce with Kean, Blackburn have succeeded in keeping themselves out of the drop zone. They have zig-zagged across the median line of the Premier League for four months, going as high as seventh but arriving this weekend in 13th spot.

“Blackburn are with all the clubs down there where it is very tight to stay in the Premier League,” said Wenger. “But, for me, Steve Kean has done a good job.”

The top flight has been difficult to decode all season. The perception is that the champions will be relatively weak in comparison to previous years whereas the bottom side will be relatively strong. For Wenger, this is not an indication of dropping standards at the top. It is just that an overall rise in quality has left the title contenders room for fewer off days.

“The top sides are not weaker just less consistent maybe because the bottom teams are stronger,” he said. “Also, from our side, maybe it is because we have gone for all competitions.

“We are on a run of 12 unbeaten games so that is consistency. We had problems at the start of the season to be consistent but since November we have been extremely consistent. We went out against Barcelona under very special circumstances. The only regret we can maybe have is the Carling Cup Final in the last minute. But we have gone on for many games now and done well.

“I don’t know if we need to stay unbeaten until the end of the season but that is our target.
“We need to continue our run and also just win again because we haven’t beaten Sunderland and West Brom. It’s important for us [to get a victory].

“Of course it’s important to have the good basis of an unbeaten run [ongoing] but what will make the difference is the three points against Blackburn.”

West Bromwich Albion 2 - 2 Arsenal - Match Report

Arsenal staged a two-goal comeback at West Brom on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of winning the Premier League title.

Arsène Wenger’s side seemed to have suffered a massive blow to their aspirations when a defensive mix-up saw Peter Odemwingie put the home side 2-0 ahead just before the hour.

Arsenal had been trailing since Steven Reid’s header in the third minute and, despite having overwhleming possession, they could not break down a stubborn West Brom defence.

However, Andrey Arshavin put them back into contention in the 70th minute and then, seven minutes later, Robin van Persie trickled the equaliser over the line.

Arsenal fought frantically for a winner and came closest when Gael Clichy’s drive was saved by Scott Carson. Manchester United’s late victory over Bolton mean Wenger’s men have dropped behind in the title race but, after this massive scare, it could have been much worse.

Questions will be asked about the defence after this result but Wenger’s team gave a resolute answer to any concerns about their spirit.

Arsenal’s title chances were certainly damaged in this pulsating afternoon of football but the blow was not fatal.

They are still in the race.

There were two familiar names back in the squad this afternoon. Aaron Ramsey had come off the bench last weekend against Manchester United but this afternoon he started his first game for the Club since he had picked up that horrible broken leg at Stoke in February 2010. He replaced the injured Abou Diaby.

Meanwhile, Jens Lehmann was on the bench after coming out of retirement to answer an emergency call from Wenger. It was the German’s first Arsenal appearance since May 2007.

Elsewhere, Sebastien Squillaci replaced Johan Djourou, who is out for six weeks with a shoulder injury, and Gael Clichy replaced Kieran Gibbs.
This was a massive day for Arsenal. After the disappointments of recent weeks, Wenger’s men needed a fillip and, of course, three points.

However they would make the worst possible start.

In the fourth minute, Laurent Koscielny gave away a corner on the left which Chris Brunt swung over to the edge of the six-yard box. It found Reid, who pulled away from Ramsey before powering home a header from close range.

It was a horrible goal to concede and instantly put Arsenal on the back foot. They struggled to respond until the quarter-hour but, after that, would dominate.

On a difficult surface, the visitors took time to get their passing going. But gradually Ramsey found his measure and Samir Nasri started to have an influence on the right.

At one point towards half time, Arsenal were registering 74 per cent possession but it only brought them one real opportunity before the break.

It came in the 25th minute. Clichy raced down the left and clipped a cross towards the stretching Van Persie, who sent a looping header against the bar.
Carson stood motionless as the ball bounced back off the woodwork. But the keeper responded quickly when it eventually came down at the feet of Ramsey. The Welshman got his shot away but the ball bounced back off the body of the West Brom stopper.

Apart from that, it was one-way traffic and all in the direction of the hosts' goal. However the home side defended in numbers and, though thoroughly questioned by Arsenal, they always found an answer.

It was a massive half-time for Wenger and he made a decisive change. Denilson off, Marouane Chamakh on.

The Moroccan went up front, with Van Persie in support. Nasri moved to central midfield and Ramsey shifted to the right.
It was an attacking move. And Wenger would make another just before the hour when the Welshman made way for Nicklas Bendtner.
That came just after substitute Marek Cech broke away on the left and his cross was put wide by the sliding Brunt when he should have scored.

However, after the change, West Brom did find a second.

There seemed little on when Odemwingie chased down Squillaci in pursuit of a long ball on 58 minutes. But Almunia also came out to collect and so when the West Brom striker won the ball he had the relatively simple job of rolling it into the empty net.

Again, a horrible goal to concede.
Arsenal now had everything against them. And when Van Persie hacked a free-kick well wide it seemed that they would struggle to respond.

But in the 70th minute, Arshavin handed the visitors a lifeline. The Russian popped up on the left of the area and rifled a shot into the far corner.

It was Arshavin’s sixth goal of the season and potentially the most important.

And the Russian would have an massive influence in the equaliser eight minutes later. It was his raking cross that drew Carson to the far post and bounced back into the area off the upright. The ball got stuck under the feet of Abdoulaye Meite and the sliding Van Persie got the merest of touches to trickle the ball over the line.

The game had turned on its head and now Arsenal were looking for a winner. Van Persie nodded wide from a corner and Jack Wilshere saw his shot blocked.

In injury time Clichy strode forward and saw his effort saved by Carson low at the near post.

Arsenal threw everything at West Brom in the dying seconds but, despite scrambles, the goal would not come.

At the end, the players looked crestfallen
This was a trip - even a backward step - but there is time to recover.

* A word for the travelling Arsenal fans this afternoon. As at Old Trafford, they were utterly magnificent in their support - a credit to the Club.

Arsenal 0 - 0 Sunderland - Match Report

Arsenal missed an opportunity to put real pressure Manchester United when they could only grind out a frustrating goalless draw with Sunderland at Emirates Stadium.

This result actually inches Arsène Wenger’s side three points behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s men. But the hope this afternoon had been to be breathing down the neck of the Old Trafford outfit before they travel to rivals Liverpool on Sunday.

Sunderland started the better but Arsenal dominated the final three-quarters of a tough, tight encounter. Substitute Marouane Chamakh came closest when he thundered a header against the bar in the 75th minute.

But visiting keeper Simon Mignolet saved well from Samir Nasri’s second-half free-kick. Meanwhile Andrey Arshavin might have been awarded a penalty and ‘scored’ after being controversially flagged offside.

Sunderland went close through Danny Wellbeck and Jordan Henderson. But their game-plan this afternoon was to hassle and harry Arsenal out of their stride while keeping matters miserly at the back.
It was frustrating fare but it did the job. Arsenal lacked a certain cutting edge this afternoon but their endeavour cannot be questioned.

This is a bump on the road to the Premier League title but hardly a breakdown. Manchester United’s response will be critical and Wenger’s men can ill-afford to dwell on what might have been.

They must simply dust themselves down and carry on.

Wenger made eight changes from the thumping 5-0 win over Leyton Orient in midweek. The FA Cup tie had started the process of recovery after that horrible Carling Cup defeat the previous weekend. But any other treatment would have to be running repairs.

This was the first of three massive games in three competitions over the course of the next eight days and the manager had been crystal clear in belief that this one was the most important.

In terms of the team, only Abou Diaby, Denilson and Nicklas Bendtner remained from the Orient game. Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou, Arshavin and Gael Clichy all returned. Laurent Koscielny was passed fit after a hamstring injury. Nasri was captain.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Alex Song (knee) were out today but remain hopeful for Barcelona. Robin van Persie (knee) and Theo Walcott (ankle) will be missing for a few weeks more.

However, perhaps the biggest news was the return of Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman had been on the bench in January but, since then, he had enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Cardiff.

Arsenal came into this game trying to the close the gap at the top. Meanwhile Sunderland were trying to arrest a run of four straight defeats.

But it was the visitors who started the better.

In the second minute, Henderson’s low right-wing cross was nearly converted by Steed Malbranque at the near post. Shortly afterwards a Sunderland corner was half-cleared to Phil Bardsley, who rifled a shot wide.

After 10 minutes, Arsenal finally woke up. Clichy curled a low cross inches beyond the outstretched leg of Bendtner. Nasri collected the rebound and fired into the chest of Mignolet.

But Sunderland were still playing with a confidence that belied their recent results. Stephane Sessegnon’s drive forced a flying save from Szczesny and then Malbranque was denied by Djourou at the near post.

However, as the game wore on, Arsenal gradually gained control. Just before the half-hour, Arshavin raced onto a lofted through-ball from Wilshere but a combination of Titus Bramble and Mignolet cleared up the danger.

Ten minutes from half-time, Nasri weaved his way to the byline but, when he tried to cut back the ball, Bardlsey blocked at the near post. When the corner came over, Djourou’s flick fell nicely for Bendtner but his point-blank bicycle kick was straight at Mignolet.

Arsenal were starting to come on strong now. In the 40th minute, Wilshere chipped Bendtner into space on the right. The Dane fired a dipping volley inches over the bar from an acute angle.

It had been a frustrating half but at least the home side had ended it in the ascendancy.

After the restart, they tried to impose themselves in the same way but Sunderland had their sleeves rolled up this afternoon.

The first 15 minutes was a scrappy affair with few chances but decent pressure from both sides.

Unsurprisingly, Wenger decided to make changes. Chamakh replaced Denilson and went up front. Bendtner dropped wide and Nasri came into central midfield.

The Moroccan was immediately involved. He escaped down the right and cut the ball back from Arshavin, who shot was beaten away by Mignolet.

Time was ticking on and Arsenal needed a goal. In the 72nd minute, Sessegnon’s foul on Koscielny gave them an opportunity just outside the area. Nasri’s free-kick was beaten away by the Sunderland stopper.

Three minutes later, they would come even closer. Wilshere drifted a ball to the far post and Chamakh crashed a header against the bar.

Back-to-back opportunities injected a momentum into Arsenal’s game. The crowd now sensed this was the moment. Just before Tomas Rosicky replaced Diaby, Sagna fired over at the far post.

As we entered the final 10 minutes, Arsenal had a massive chance. Arshavin raced through in the left-hand channel with Bramble in pursuit. The Englishman was tangling with the Russian all the way and, as he stumbled, pushed the Arsenal striker who shanked his shot wide.
It could have been a goal, it could have been a penalty. In the end it was neither.

Sunderland’s attacking had been limited in the second half but they would fashion two quick efforts. Substitute Wellbeck swiveled and sent a sharp shot towards the far post. Szczesny pushed it wide. From the corner, the keeper used his chest to block a shot from Henderson.

When the final whistle went, Arsenal were deflated, Sunderland delighted.

That tells the story of the game.

This was a deeply disappointing draw but this Premier League story will have a few more plot-twists before May.

Arsenal Vs Sunderland - Match Preview

One massive week just gone. One to come.

Arsenal missed a huge opportunity in losing the Carling Cup Final to Birmingham last Sunday.  But, thanks to a little help elsewhere, another major chance has presented itself this weekend.

The 5-0 victory over Leyton Orient in an FA Cup Fifth Round replay on Wednesday may have been welcome catharsis following that surprise defeat at Wembley. But the biggest fillip of the week had arrived the night before.

Chelsea’s comeback victory over Manchester United has put Arsenal back in control of their Premier League destiny once more.

Now, if they win their last 11 games the title will come to the Emirates. End of story.

Of course the same is true of the Old Trafford outfit and the clash between the two teams in May should be pivotal. But victory over Sunderland this weekend will leave Wenger’s side just a point off the leaders, who travel to arch-rivals Liverpool the following day missing a number of key players.

It is an opportunity, certainly. According to the manager, their best for three years. But, he argued at Friday’s press conference, they are still playing catch-up.

“The title is Man United’s to lose,” he said. “Even if you look at the bookmakers, it’s 8/13 for Man United and I think the other way around for us - 13/8.

“Mathematically it’s in our hands. But that does not mean that, if you look at the fixtures, that it’s ours to lose at the moment. We have difficult games.

“In fact I would say exactly the reverse: it’s ours to win more than ours to lose, because they are in a leading position. So it’s down to us and to our good behaviour to win it.

“To be honest I don’t count too much on them feeling the pressure. I count on my team more than on any weakness of Man United.  

"You cannot say United's form has been poor - they have been dominant at home, and we should not expect any slip from them.”

Wenger may leave it as late as the morning warm-up before deciding if Laurent Koscielny has sufficiently recovered from his hamstring injury to face Sunderland. Aaron Ramsey is back from loan and Cardiff and in the squad. He was on the bench a couple of times in January but did not come on. The Welsh midfielder has not kicked a ball for the Arsenal first team since breaking his leg at Stoke just over a year ago.

Robin van Persie (knee) was a casualty of the Carling Cup Final last weekend while Theo Walcott (ankle) is a couple of weeks away.

Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Alex Song (knee) both miss out this weekend but could be back for Barcelona on Tuesday. The manager is classing them both as ‘doubts’, with the former more likely to play than the latter.

After the trip to Spain, there is Manchester United the following Saturday in the FA Cup Quarter-Final.

Clearly there are ‘massive weeks’ and then there are ‘massive weeks’.

But after this one, Arsenal could be on the shoulders of the Premier League leaders, in the last eight of the Champions League and the last four in the FA Cup having vanquished their biggest rivals.

Or it could be a straight uphill fight for the title.

Or anything in between.

The point is that, despite last Sunday, Arsenal’s season is still ahead of them.

To illustrate, Wenger was asked when he side were in as strong a position in the League.

“When we drew at Birmingham in 2008,” he replied.

That was a game remembered for, in varying degrees, Eduardo, Martin Taylor, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott.

Birmingham’s injury-time equaliser that day ushered along a decline that had already started a couple of weeks earlier by being knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford and would end with a Champions League exit at Liverpool in mid-April.

You sense and you hope Arsenal are stronger all-round this time. They suffered a massive jolt last Sunday and Orient were perhaps not good enough to test the extent of their recovery.

Who knows, having lost their last four in the League, Sunderland might not either. After all manager Steve Bruce has been to Emirates Stadium six times and lost each time.

But the Wearsiders scraped their way to a last-gasp 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this season. A similar result on Saturday would be a body blow almost as big as the one felt around Wembley on Sunday.

“We were a bit unlucky as well that day,” remembered Wenger. “We played one minute over the added time and we got Song sent off on the day so we were down to ten men.

“But it was a difficult game and that shows Sunderland can be a danger for anybody because they are a good side. If you look at their team, the quality of players they have in their team, it’s not a surprise that they took a point from us. And, on Saturday, we want the points.

Still, right now, Arsenal’s fixtures are not just about Arsenal. For some they are also about comparisons with Manchester United. Wenger knows he can afford to take that perspective.

“I don’t think [Arsenal beating Sunderland] will change the attitude of Man United or of Liverpool on Sunday,” he said, summing up. “It is a big game for both anyway.

“People come to conclusions about ‘if we beat Sunderland’ so let’s beat Sunderland first. We have our own fate in our hands, mathematically. We want to win our games.  We are on a good run, on a very strong run, if you look at our recent performances in the Premier League.

“So let’s just keep it going.”

Arsenal 1 - 0 Stoke City - Match Report

Arsenal edged their way to within a point of leaders Manchester United with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke on Wednesday night.

But the victory may have come at a price.

Sebastien Squillaci’s eighth-minute header was enough to secure all three points. However, Cesc Fabregas hobbled off shortly afterwards with a hamstring injury. In the second half, Theo Walcott was stretchered off with a concerned look on his face having been brought down on the edge of the area.

After the game, Arsène Wenger confirmed that the winger would miss the Carling Cup Final with a sprained ankle. The prognosis on Fabregas will have to wait a little longer.

It is testament to Arsenal that they shook off these problems to secure a crucial victory on the night.

Stoke were Stoke – organised, robust, committed – but Arsenal matched them in those areas and made their class count when it mattered.

These sorts of ground-out 1-0s are said to win you titles. Time will tell there.

But this result is further evidence that Arsenal are the real deal this season.

This was the first of five games in 14 days – a spell that includes Sunday’s showpiece and ends with the game at Barcelona. It is a massive time for Arsenal and, as expected, Wenger brought back the bulk of the side that had been rested at Leyton Orient on Sunday.

In all there were seven changes. Only Alex Song, Bacary Sagna, Squillaci and Nicklas Bendtner retained their places. Wojciech Szczesny, Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Gael Clichy and Johan Djourou all came in.

Manchester United were otherwise engaged in the Champions League this evening but will play twice in the Premier League before Wenger’s men run out again in the same competition.

The Frenchman does not like to label any game as ‘must-win’ but this one was about as close as you could get if Arsenal wanted to retain control of their own destiny in the title race.

And the home side began as if they were fully aware of the magnitude of the fixture.

In the opening four and half minutes, Walcott would have three opportunities - one crystal-clear and two half-chances.

The best came first.

With less than 70 seconds on the clock, Wilshere found Fabregas on the edge of the area. Perceptive as ever, he spotted Walcott on the right. The skipper threaded a pass through to leave the Englishman clear but needing to beat Asmir Begovic from an acute angle.

He did so. But his cross-shot bounced off the inside of the far post, back across goal and into the hands of the keeper. Fist-gnawing stuff.

A couple minutes later, Walcott volleyed over when off-balance. Then he seemed to be beating a couple of Stoke defenders for pace but was caught as he shaped to shoot and sidefooted tamely into the hands of the keeper.

Stoke replied with a couple of Rory Delap throw-ins but, in the eighth minute, Arsenal grabbed the lead they deserved.

Wilshere fired over a corner from the right. It was touched on to Bendtner at the far post. He returned the ball into the midst of the six-yard box for Squillaci to nod home from close-range. It was the Frenchman’s second goal of the season and he celebrated like it meant something.

It was everything Arsenal needed but, five minutes later, they would suffer a crucial blow – they lost their captain.

Fabregas pulled up holding his knee and was soon replaced by Arshavin. The Russian took up the role on the left of midfield with Nasri moving into the middle.

The goal and the injury seemed to affect Arsenal. The home side were in complete control - on the half-hour the statistics said they had enjoyed an incredible 74 per cent possession – however their build-up play lead to nothing concrete.

In the 37th minute, they were nearly caught. In a rare foray forward Jonathan Walters nodded the ball back to John Carew 25 yards out. The Norwegian fired a thunderous volley toward the far corner but Szczesny threw himself to his right and made the block. It was a wonderful stop given he had been underemployed thus far.

At the break, Stoke needed to do something. Almost like Orient as the weekend, they seemed happy to cede territory and get men behind the ball. It was a risky ploy given the attacking options Arsenal had at their disposal.

Therefore the visitors were understandably more expansive in the second half. In the opening minutes, they nearly drew level from a move that started with a Delap throw-in - but not in the way you might think.

This one was tossed down the line for Jermaine Pennant. His cross was nodded goalwards by Ryan Shawcross at the near post but, fortunately for Arsenal, deflected wide.

Just before the hour, a more traditional Delap fling saw Robert Huth climb highest and nod over. A glorious chance.

The switch in style had put Arsenal back on their heels and it took them time to recover.

But, gradually, recover they did.

Wilshere thumped a long-range shot into the chest of Begovic then Arshavin skipped past the sliding Shawcross on the left-hand byline before cutting the ball back invitingly for Walcott. He tried to finish first-time but miscued.

It would be the last act from the Englishman. With 20 minutes left, he was hauled down by Dean Whitehead on the edge of the area and did not get up. He was stretchered off and Denilson came on.

Despite another change, matters were still tight and even. Shawcross miscued a volley at one end, Bendtner headed over at the other.

As the game entered its final phase, both sides brought on strikers – Marouane Chamakh for Arsenal, Ricardo Fuller for Stoke.

Stoke still pushed forward where possible but theirs was a blunt weapon. The closest they came to breaking the deadlock was when Pennant rippled the sidenetting from a free-kick.

The finale was nervy but controlled. The finesse went from Arsenal and the fight took over.

But in the end they had the three points they wanted.